I believe my 3 year old has a UTI ...

[crimson_gray]

She's frequently running to the bathroom, complaining that her "tummy" hurts and running a fever of 101. My plan is to treat her with garlic, (possibly) silver and unsweetned cranberry juice. Se's never had antibiotics and I really, REALLY want it to stay that way! Has anyone had sucess with treating urinary tract infections in children without antibotics? What did you use? THANKS![:X]

Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
TWO, MORE & HTF
Pacific Northwest
kayla@t-tapp.com

[WendyD]

There is always this: http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=531&at=0

It's D-mannose, I haven't tried it.

I was anti- antibiotics until I read an article by a ND and he said not to feel bad if you need to use them on occasion. They can be real life savers. Just be sure to give a good probiotics. My DD's nose wouldn't clear up until I gave in and filled her prescription. I tried everything!!! She needed them.

Hugs!

Wendy

You can learn something from everyone you meet. Just listen...

[MommyRose]

Oh, Kayla. Hugs for the little one! [:X]:(

I haven't had to treat one in children...but I had a uti a while back. It hurts, your miserable and it progresses fast!! I understand not wanting to put her on antibiotics but, honestly, I wouldn't mess with a uti. For myself, within' 2 days I started seeing blood. Seriously, this wipes a person out. It's not like you are going to have her on antibiotics for every little thing. Antibiotics are meant for times that they are needed. She'll be okay...especially since I know you'll do what you can to build her system up during and after!

You can also give her cranberry pills in addition to probiotics to build her up with antibiotic use. My little ones even have never had a hard time taking them as they often chew them and liked them. Weird...but whatever works! You may have a hard time getting many liquids down her at the moment as it hurts to pee so her natural response may be to not drink much.

Good luck. [:X]

~Rose

DayBreak Certified PCT
rose@pile.us

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zachariah age 3
Proud homeschooling mom of 4 very interesting boys!!!

[WendyD]

Here is the article I read. I'm NOT trying to open a hornets nest. :D Just sharing another view. Everyone has to do what is right for their family.

http://www.totalityofbeing.com/FramelessPages/Articles/demonizing_antibiotics.html

Wendy

You can learn something from everyone you meet. Just listen...

[RoseTapper]

Kayla,

I understand your feelings about antibiotics, but I completely agree with Rose. This is NOT something to mess around with. A bladder infection, if left untreated BY ANTIBIOTICS, can swiftly infect the kidneys. That can have very serious consequences. I began having bladder infections when I was three, and I continued to have them throughout childhood. Several times I didn't want to tell my mother because we had fun family plans in place that I didn't want to mess up, and I remember how much pain I was in. I was very feverish, and I couldn't stand for long without passing out. The pain from a bladder infection is horrific. Have you never had one? I rarely get them now, but I always insist on Cipro, which is taken only for three days and the pain subsides within two hours of taking it. The old sulfa medications, which are still prescribed first even now, take a long time before relieving pain and destroying the bacteria. Doctors still prescribe the old stuff because it's cheaper (for HMO's), but if children are allowed to take Cipro, this would help your daughter right away. Please, Kayla, your daughter is in GREAT PAIN if she does, in fact, have a bladder infection. I am all for homeopathic remedies, but I tried them on staph infections, and, after a year, I had to give up and take antibiotics. An occasional bout of antibiotics would not be harmful--but a bladder infection....oh, the damage it could do to your daughter's future health. Remember, Kayla, before antibiotics, many children died from simple infections. Please, please take her to a doctor right away.

Laura H. (RoseTapper)

[justkim]

Kayla,
The antibiotics might be the way to go. I understand wanting to avoid them. I spent most of my childhood on them; years of bronchitis and respiratory infections. But,(there's always a big but isnt't there?:D), your DD may not be able to articulate her symptoms other than "it hurts", especially if the symptoms don't clear up. If she takes antibiotics, take care to rebalance her system with probiotics, again with your doctor's blessing. Using antibiotics isn't a reflection of your parenting abilities. It's obvious you want the best for your daughter. I hope she feels better soon. Perhaps you could contact Joan at Health and Wisdom for advice?

www.thechicpeach.com

[crimson_gray]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I HAVE had bladder infections myself... I spent the first years of my life with a constant bladder infection. They actually finally did exploratory surgery to see what was causing them. After the surgery, I never had another but I do remember how they feel. I'm not totally positive that she has one; I just can't come up with anything else. She doesn't complain of any pain with using the bathroom, (which is odd because I remember BAD burning) but only says "my tummy hurts" and "I'm tired". Her urine isn't cloudy but she does frequent the bathroom much more often than normal. She was adjusted a week and a half ago by my chiro because there was something pressing on the nerve connected with the bladder. That definitely helped the wetting and she seemed much better for a week. I just don't know what to do! There are no Medical offices open today so I really have to wait until tomorrow to see. I've seen that you can buy a test for UTI at the drug store which would mean a long trip to town but I may do that anyway just to see if it really is a bladder infection. Again, thanks so much!!!

Laura, thanks for the tip on antibiotics... I will defiantly go that route if it comes to that!

Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
TWO, MORE & HTF
Pacific Northwest
kayla@t-tapp.com

[RoseTapper]

Thanks, Kayla--now I'll be able to sleep knowing that your little one will soon be out of pain.

Laura H. (RoseTapper)

[csigirl69]

Kayla,
I never take antibiotics for UTI's or bladder infections...I take D-Mannose...about a teaspoon in a glass of water...you could also put it in juice...I also used it on my daughter who had a UTI and her pain was gone in just an hour. What it does is flush e-coli out of the body which is what UTI's and bladder infections are 90% of the time...very rarely will it be bacterial but, it is possible if the D-mannose does not work then it is bacterial. It has always worked for me though.
Good Luck

Mona Lisa

"God created teenagers to punish us so we would know what it felt like to have someone created in our own image that denied our existance"

[aj]

Kayla, I emailed you about my DD who listed similar pain/illness.

April
Taking it one day at a time.

[MommyRose]

Have you figured anything out yet Kayla? How's she doing??

Hoping the best for you both! It's not easy figuring out their illnesses and the right course of action to take. ;)[:0] I know we've anquished many times on what steps to take.

~Rose

DayBreak Certified PCT
rose@pile.us

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zachariah age 3
Proud homeschooling mom of 4 very interesting boys!!!

[crimson_gray]

Thank you for the great support! DD isn't up yet this morning but was about the same last night. It's not that anything is obviously wrong, I just know that something isn't right, (all mothers will KWIM). She isn't in a lot of pain and she is still using the bathroom-- in fact her urine is clear. Is it possible to just have a small/mild bladder infection? This has been going on for a couple weeks and very likely isn't a bladder infection I just suspected that because of the frequent trips. I will be seeing our first choice doctor on Wednesday and if he doesn't find anything, we'll try someone else. I'll keep you updated on what I find out!
[:X]

Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
TWO, MORE & HTF
Pacific Northwest
kayla@t-tapp.com

[MommyRose]

You're doing the right thing by bringing her in Kayla. I did use to know someone, an adult, who experienced repeated bladder infections without clear signs. It is time to bring her to the doctor when you suspect something is going on but can't quite put your finger on it. I've done that before. Even if its nothing you'll feel better for having had her checked out. ;)

~Rose

DayBreak Certified PCT
rose@pile.us

"You are Mommy and you are Rose!" Zachariah age 3
Proud homeschooling mom of 4 very interesting boys!!!

[WendyD]

If she's like my kiddos she'll be better by Wed! :D I'll be praying for her.

Wendy

You can learn something from everyone you meet. Just listen...

[Heather73]

I see action is already being taken here but thought I would chime in just because my own DD had a similar experience right around 3YO.

She did have a bladder infection, which progressed rapidly. She went from saying going potty 'hurt' to wetting every 20 minutes or so, and not being able to hold it as she cried and ran to the bathroom. Also, I noticed a bad smell, kind of like dead fish had developed--this only took about 12 hours or so and I knew she had an infection before I even called the doc. We put her on antibiotics and the symptoms got slightly worse in the first 10 hours or so-to point where she was peeing blood:( and nearly screaming. And then steadily got better.

What I wanted to say was

~yes, it is possible to have a 'low grade' infection without any pain. I know of a lady who got these during her pregnancies and would risk going into early labor because she had the infection, wich apparently induced contractions *but* she had no idea she had an infection.

~I agree with Rose, Laura and others, if you suspect UTI, not to mess around with it too long. It can progress quickly in children and move into the kidneys.

~Is it possible another chiro adjustment could help? Perhaps the pressure on the nerve has made her super sensitive to the feeling of something in her bladder? If surgery helped with your problems, perhaps it is something she inherited?


quote:What it does is flush e-coli out of the body which is what UTI's and bladder infections are 90% of the time...very rarely will it be bacterial but, it is possible if the D-mannose does not work then it is bacterial. ~ e-coli is a form of bacteria. And I believe it is responsible for the majority of uti's particularly in small children because it resides in the human intestine and is easily transfered if the child does not wipe properly after using the bathroom. This is also a big reason why women are more susceptible to UTI's than men.

~since other forms of bacteria can be responsible, a good doctor will get a urine sample if at all possible--even if he recommends putting her on antibiotics immediately. That way the urine can be tested to dertermine exactly which bacteria might be causing the problem. When I went in with my then 3YO, we got a 'sample' but he put her on antibiotics right away that would combat e-coli, since, as has been stated, it is the one most likely to be causing the prob. It was pretty intense and if that was what she needed, we decided it would be best to take the chance it was the more common variation. However, if it turned out that the infection does not clear up with that treatment, he needed to know exactly which less common bacteria might be responsible, so he could target it with a different medication.

I totally understand wanting to stay away from antibiotics if you can. When I was much younger, our toddler developed his first ear infection around 12 months. Coincidentally, it is about the time I was weaning him and he had been kept up on all recommended immunizations and I knew nothing of possible food sensitivity that can contribute. He had been fussy and his ear really seemed to hurt but I tried to comfort him and deal as well as I knew how. And then his eardrum perforated and even though it seemed to relieve the pain for him, that really scared me! So, I opted for the antibiotic course and until he was 3, we ended up getting him antibiotics 2 or 3 times, which of course is super rough on the digestive system. Overuse/abuse of antibiotics is so widespread in our country and I personally believe that is one reason why we are having so much trouble with these new, emerging 'superbugs', as well as overall lowered immunity in the general population. However, I also believe they have a proper place, and can be quite effective (especially if you don't go running in to get a prescription for every sniffle).

[crimson_gray]

Again, it's wonderful to get all these responses!

Thanks Wendy for prayers, I'm doing that as well.

Heather, most definately she could have something inherited! But this is her first infection of any kind so I doubt she'll have the trouble I had. She's actually never been to a Medical Doctor only to our family Chiropractor/nutritionist. We'll see on Wednesday whether or not another adjustment is needful plus I'll have him check for infection and/or kidney stress.

She seems much better today and hasn't had even ONE complaint!!!! I hope that whatever it was has passed on-- maybe it was just a tummy bug. [?] Do you ever feel like beating your head against a wall? LOL[:I];) I did give her some silver yesterday AND some ImmueBoost.

Again, thank you ((all)) for the time spent in replying and for your concern!

[b]Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
TWO, MORE & HTF
Pacific Northwest
kayla@t-tapp.com

[crimson_gray]

Update:
DD went to the Chiropractor with me this morning and my REAL suspicions (you know the ones that are too scary to even think about) were confirmed. She has an inflamed pancreas (my scary suspicion was juvenile diabetes). He gave us a supplement to heal the pancreas but the root of the cause is that her liver didn't fully developed so we'll work on that next! We'll be going back in two weeks to see how the pancreas is healing. Thanks for the prayers. :)


Kayla Howard ~T-Tapp Trainer
TWO, MORE & HTF
Pacific Northwest
kayla@t-tapp.com

[pamelaw]

Kayla, I send you big hugs and hopes for the best outcome. We are amazingly adaptable and healable, especially when our role models are so positive and loving.

I just wanted to add that Mastering Leptin has a great deal to say about the pancreas and protecting it and its functioning. We do have a copy available through the Latah library.

Big hugs,

Pamela

[Jimella]

Hugs Kayla, thanks for the update.

Jimella

[Shagenit2]

This is my cure for UTI's for a dollar... Hi there I just wanted to say that I've suffered with UTI's for about 12 years.I get one every 2-3 months. I'm tired of being on antibiotics...I've tried everything. Cranberry juice does not work for me.First thing: You need to pee in a plastic clear glass and see if your urine is cloudy. Then go into your kitchen and grab your baking soda. Put a tbsp of it into water and make yourself drink it. Within an hour the pain should be gone. I drink this at least twice that day.It is gone that day. My UTI's are caused by e coli all the time. This kills all the e coli in your urine. There is a time to go to the doctor if nothing else works. This works great if you catch it in time. Apple cider vinegar works pretty good too but it tastes so bad. I haven't needed antibiotics since I've discovered baking soda and I've saved myself $30.00 on meds with a $1.00 item each time.

Shagen

[MomAtHome]

Forgive one more UTI note please - the ONE-TWO PUNCH of home test kits and D-Mannose will safely let you avoid most antibiotic prescriptions.

You can buy UTI test kits off the shelf of any drug store, for about $3 per urine strip test with 3 in a box usually at less than $10. The AZO brand is the most available one, by Bayer, and they explain in the packaging it is the same test methods doctors use.

You can test quickly to prove to yourself it is indeed a UTI, then begin D-Mannose (found at most health food stores - mixable powder may be $25 or more but possibly more that you need, anyway), test again daily to prove to yourself the infection is clearing up with the bacteria being flushed out of the body. (But do continue to follow the D-Mannose package directions as long as directed to clear it up completely.) If it does not clear it up, you will probably know it within 24 hours (D-Mannose should have made a big difference in 24 hours), and you can contact your doctor armed with knowledge.

Through my eldercare responsibilities, I have had several conversations with family doctors about using test kits plus D-Mannose and all with positive response, just caution that if the tests should ever continue to be positive, contact them. I have witnessed this combination save a lot of difficult trips out to dr for elderly folks, btw.

Prayers for your dd's excellent health, Kayla. You are a good mom.

M.H.